CCTV footage will prove I am not a molester: Businessman

Businessman has been accused of molesting a 28-year-old woman during an argument outside his shop; he says CCTV footage shows he was not present at the spot when the incident occurred

Recently, the Pydhonie police had registered an FIR against a businessman, who had been accused of molestation by a 28-year-old woman. However, the businessman has now come forward with evidence, which he says can prove that he had not molested the woman because he was somewhere else at the time of the incident.

On October 15, a 28-year-old woman approached Pydhonie police, claiming that 55-year-old Shafiq Abdul Siddique had molested her. According to her complaint, she was near Classic bags shop in Pydhonie at 12.45 pm with a friend. They had parked their two-wheeler outside Siddique’s shop.

The woman and her friend had an argument over the parking spot with a person from Siddique’s shop (the woman claims it was Siddique himself). During the argument, the woman claims that Siddique approached her from behind and started hitting her. He pulled her by the collar as well, thereby molesting her.

‘I have no criminal background’Speaking to mid-day, Siddique said, “I saw the woman for the first time at the police station. I am married and have two kids. I have no criminal background.”

He added, “At the time of incident, I was with my friend Asif Motorwala at the Rangoonwala building on Mohammad Ali road. I went to my shop at 12 noon and left within ten minutes. Till 1.30 pm that day, I was with Asif. We have CCTV footage of the building and other roads where I can be seen walking.”

Asif confirmed the same and said, “He was with me at the time that is mentioned in the FIR. He got a call from his friend who said a few people have stormed into his shop and looted valuables. Upon hearing this, Siddique did not go to his shop and went to the Pydhonie police station straightaway.”

Siddique said, “All of this has been done to take hold of my shop, which is worth over Rs 2.5 crore. They are putting a false case against me with the help of this woman whom I’ve never known.

They don’t even have any evidence against me. The woman and her friend took the CCTV DVR from my shop. The cops should recover the CCTV footage of my shop and see whether or not I was present at the time of the incident.” He added, “If I am guilty why aren’t the cops arresting me?”

‘Siddique did it’When mid-day contacted the woman, she said, “My case is genuine. I don’t even know him (Siddique) to have some personal enmity against him. We had an argument during which, he pushed me and molested me. In fact, the cops did not act properly in the matter. I was sent for a medical test at 10 in the night after which an FIR was taken. Siddique was present at the spot and he did it.”

Requesting anonymity, an investigating officer on the case said, “We have registered a case in the matter from both parties. We are investigating the matter.” Siddique has been booked under sections 354(assault), 509 (offensive word, gestures), 323 (causing hurt), 504 (insult) of the Indian Penal Code.